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In case you missed it, I did an article called “Clash of the Shiteans (adding an “e… there as the word was misread to an unfortunate level…. You can read it here
The word is pronounced “Shite-enz… and is a bit of an obscure Youtube reference used to describe guitars that are cheap, in every sense of the word. It is meant to oppose the word “Titans… as the converse. The title of last in the league, however, isn’t really on the line in this contest as the bottom ranked teams in the NHL square off.
The distance between Detroit and Ottawa may be only 1 place in the standings, but that is a bit misleading. Ottawa has 37 standings points to Detroit’s 25 (as well as a game in hand). Perhaps more eye opening is the goal differential. Ottawa shows a differential of -31 while Detroit sits at -72, well past double.
Beyond standings points and goal differential, Ottawa has been firmly in the driver’s seat with the season series this year, up 2-0. The master of the feast in dining on Wings has to be Anthony Duclair, with 4 goals and an assist in 2 games. J.G Pageau is also playing well against Detroit with 2 goals in 2 games against, both unassisted (one short handed). Duclair is having a stellar campaign at exactly the right time. With 21 goals and 11 assists the young winger is set to need a new contract at the end of a career season. The media banter is that he may be traded as Ottawa tends to shy away from wanting to pay market value, Duclair could easily be an important part of the team going forward. Either way, any lapse in coverage by Detroit will result in an even more impressive resume when facing the Red Wings.
Tyler Bertuzzi is the Wings leading scorer with 15 goals, and has 17 assists. His steady production has been an absolute highlight for the season as the gritty young forward will pay the price to get to the net. Filip Zadina is finding his rhythm as well with 5 goals and 6 assists in 19 games and Robby Fabbri has 11 goals and 9 assists in his 36 games with Detroit. Dylan Larkin always gives his all, though his scoring totals are a little lower at 10 goals and 18 assists and seems to be heading toward an upswing.
Ottawa is currently scoring 2.74 goals per game (23rd) and giving up 3.42 (29th) and Detroit sits 31st in both categories with 2.18 goals for per game and 3.8 against. Bernier has had a better showing lately, and his save% is now .903. Craig Anderson is at .897 but Anders Nilsson has a .908.
Detroit holds the edge on the power play at 15.2% (27th) to Ottawa’s 11.3 (31st) but the Senators have a MUCH better PK at 80.8% (15th) to Detroit’s 73.9% (30th). Detroit’s special teams # is 89.1% to Ottawa’s 92.1%. The special teams battles would favor Ottawa overall as the PK is so effective that Pageau scored short handed in the first meeting of these two teams.
Otherwise, the game is a bit of a toss up. Detroit can turn it on and score 4 and Ottawa can also score 4 or 5 depending on the night. I tend to expect a 1 goal game (2 with an empty net tally) looking at this contest.
Ottawa is still playing for pride, and new contracts. Duclair and Pageau are both on the radar of contending teams and both players are going to give it everything they have to secure some stability going forward. Detroit is tired of losing, and when the players see some daylight they are a completely different team. This could well be a very physical and entertaining game, in spite of the rankings of either squad. I’m looking forward to it.
If any trades or last minute changes come up before puck drop, I’ll post an update. If not, stop back after the game to see how things went! Thanks to everyone who stops by to read and comment, keep it coming!!